“I. Said. Leave. Me.”

“Are you sure?”

Gripping his shirt, I hesitated. How long has it been since I was last touched? Why were the fingers of the man I hate igniting embers in my slumbering body?

He smirked victoriously, snaking a hand over my thighs, sinking his fingers before leading to where they shouldn't simultaneously biting my shoulder as I ended up releasing a moan that filled me with embarrassment.

“M-Mr. Black…!”

“Hmmm, tell me, Marianne, Are you sure you want me to stop?”

Yet I nodded, “Mhm,”

He whined, pulling away a little, causing my skin to burn with craving as I shut my legs to conceal it.

“Oh, come on, I see the way you looked at me. Marianne, you are just another whore.”

Roughly breaking the entwined hand, I shook my head in denial, losing my breaths with instant dread creeping on my face.

“No… you are wrong… I.. I…”

Curling my hand in a fist, my jaw clenched, finding a single sight of him unsavory and it all rushed in my mind.

It was never worth it. Whether love or lust. It never was.

“I would never…”

“Then what–”

The second he slid his hand inside my shirt, my body instinctively reacted, disregarding the consequences and I slapped him hard across his face

I. Slapped. My. Boss.

Fuck.

But, how did I reach such a point? How did it all begin? Let’s go back to last month where this hell began.

LAST MONTH,

Love and Commitments.

This time, I won’t let it weaken me. They couldn’t destroy me again.

They were the two things that disgusted and frightened me the most, the things I would avoid at all cost as they had no place in my life.

I had zero time for heartbreaks, to attach feelings with someone unworthy.

Not this time I would let love destroy me, to crush my personality, to kill my future. I had reached the skies with extreme efforts, it couldn't ruin me this time.

I won’t let it.

Not. This. Time.

I Am The Supermodel, the temptation itself, the highest paying model, Mariannne Morris after all.

That's right, NO ONE can steal this spotlight, this attention, this money, this moment from me.

“That’s it, perfect!”

My amber-like eyes captured hearts through the lens, smirking slyly when the shooting for my recent campaign was done.

My brown hair scattered, creating a perfect style as I stepped down, holding my hand out where a spotboy handed me a glass of water.

I knew I was meant for this workline, I was made to stare and steal one’s soul in a single eye-contact.

“Amazing work as always, Marianne,”

“I know,”

My voice came out velvety, waving my hand gracefully in the air, I went back to my vanity van where my manager, Byron, was waiting for me excitedly.

Bryon was a decade older than me, I was 28, he had been with me ever since I started my career in Cairo, Egypt.

He knew ‘everything’ about me.

“Ah, you are back finally, Mari! You cannot imagine what offer you have got. It is going to be a lifetime achievement! Ah, I am so happy for you,”

Arching an eyebrow in amusement, I couldn’t help but to chuckle, “Whose offer is making you jump like crazy?”

It was time for my snack so I took out my fruit bowl prepared by my dietitian, munching on my bite, glancing at the jovial man before me from time to time.

“After serving industry through his agencies, textile factories, and promotions, Erich Black has finally decided to step into the mainstream! Erich Black is launching his own brand!”

I was utterly flabbergasted, just how many achievements this man aimed to obtain at 33?! Money, power, fame, women, he had it all.

He always got what he laid his eyes upon- It almost made me envious. What people die to gain, got served to him on a plate.

I wonder if he had ever lost anything in his life.

“What kind of sick joke is this?” I ended up frowning.

“Is he doing this to rival his ex-wife for leaving him? Or to get more women to get laid with?” I muttered, munching on my bite.

“That is his personal problem, Marianne. I have told you many times, what or why is none of our concern. You get paid to be model, not an investigator,”

“Whatever, so what Mr. Black would like to offer me? His personal pleaser? Or-”

“He wants you to be one of his brand ambassadors, show stopper in his first launch, and be signed with him, The Obsidians, exclusively,”

I almost choked on my bite, fork dropping from my hand upon hearing how explicitly he wanted me, which was honestly unforeseen for me.

Exclusively with The Obsidians? The highest paying agency?

I did a few shows through them but due to our personal disputes, It never ended well.

I thought he would rather hire ten models than to work with me.

“Are you serious?”

“Hundred percent,”

“So, what do you say? This is a lifetime opportunity, you won’t get an offer like this, Marianne,”

“What if I say no?”

I didn’t know why, even though his offer was irresistible, my heart was not convinced, as if something destructive was about to occur.

“Then he will destroy your whole career. He will get you fired, it’s easy for him to get you removed from everywhere until you will be forced to submit,”

“In that case, do you think I have any option to refuse?”

“Good, I will let them know. Be prepared and please, try not to express this hatred,” He instructed, well aware I sometimes speak without thinking.

“We will see about it,”

“Please, for your future’s sake, my dear,”

“Yeah, yeah,”

After agreeing, Byron arranged a meeting with that arrogant man, although it was unsavory from my side but I had no option either, it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

It would boost my career too much.

“Come on, let’s go,”

“Huff, what a drag,”

“Try not to displease him, Marianne,”

“I know,”

Taking a deep breath, to control my posture, we came to the agency but to my surprise, I merely greeted his assistant, Gracia, leading us to the VIP lounge with a sweet smile.

“Good Evening. I am Mr. Black’s personal assistant, Gracia, pleased to meet you.”

I hummed, folding my arms at my chest, moving my eyes across the hall with a faint smirk. Wanting to see the look on his face, the glimpse where he ‘needs’ me.

Ah, it would be highly satisfactory.

“Where is Mr. Black?”

“Oh, I deeply apologize but Mr. Black is unable to attend the meeting today. But, he has signed the agreement and pays his respects.” She spoke softly, placing the papers before us.

“Come

I should have taken the hint about what he would do to me from that incident and left when I had the chance.

…Soon enough, signing under him was going to be my biggest mistake…

“Come again?”

“Mr. Black is not here,”

“I am his new brand ambassador,” I began, each word venomous. “The showstopper. His exclusive face. And he couldn’t find the time to witness the signing of his own contract?”

A grimace instantly appeared, slamming my clutch bag on the table, glaring at Gracia who flinched and stepped back nervously.

“Did he do the same with others?”

“Uhh… No,”

“So, it’s just me. He’s degrading me.”

It was his favorite pastime.

Crushing my smallest spark of excitement under his expensive oxfords. He hadn't just missed a meeting, he had orchestrated a disappearance specifically to ensure I didn't feel important.

“I assure you, it’s an urgent matter of state—I-I mean, business,” Gracia corrected herself, scratching the back of her neck. Before I could tear her excuse apart, she retreated.

“Please, take a seat. Let me know if you need anything.”

She vanished, leaving me fuming. I snatched the contract file and threw it at Byron in a fit of rage where he didn’t bother to give me the respect I deserved.

“Did you see, Byron? This man always does this. He is an arrogant piece of shit!”

“Who knows he had an urgency?” He caught it with a sigh, his face a mask of weary optimism. “You guys are going to work together now, why would he want things to be unfavorable?”

“You wish,” I hissed, jaw clenched, having second thoughts about this contract now.

“Mari, breathe,” Byron urged, forcing a smile, gesturing to me to relax and take a seat.

“He’s a busy man. This is The Obsidians. This is your dream. Why would he want to sabotage his own investment?”

“Because he’s a sadist,” I snapped, losing my composure when the silence and his absence began to pierce me.

“He never misses a chance to remind me where I stand in his world. Beneath him.”

“Then use that,” Byron whispered, sliding the pen toward me.

“Sign. Take his money, take his fame, and take the privileges. If you want to beat him, you do it from the top of his empire, not from the sidewalk outside.” He suggested darkly that for a moment reduced the blazing embers of my heart.

Inhaling sharply to regain my posture, I muttered, “That is the only reason I am here else I won’t even look at that asshole,”

“Exactly. And besides, you will rarely get to see him, anyways. You just sign and think about the future. This is it. The moment we’ve been waiting for,” Byron beamed, going through the papers, explaining the terms to me.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, knowing it was futile to curse when he wasn’t present, I relaxed gradually, swallowing my rage.

“Yeah, you are right…”

Ignorant of the upcoming troubles, foolishly believing that my life will get better, that I could handle a life with the intolerable man who loved to ruin me.

I ended up signing the contract papers.

“Huff, there you go,”

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my bag and got up to leave. I walked out and saw Gracia, waiting by the elevator, looking far too composed for my liking.

“Everything in order, Miss Morris?

My eyes narrowed with discontent but ignoring her I almost walked away yet refusing to submit so easily, I stopped. Such a distasteful defeat was unacceptable!

“In fact, you know what, Gracia? Deliver these words to Mr. Black,”

I glanced over my shoulders with discontent. My eyes hardened with an unbreakable resolve.

“One day, I will be the one who doesn't show up, Erich Black. I’ll make you wait until you realize you’re nothing without me.”

Gracia didn't look intimidated. Instead, a small, knowing smile tugged at her lips. “I believe he anticipated that sentiment.”

She pulled an sleek, black intercom device from her pocket and pressed a button. Lowering her gaze, she stepped away and the doors of the elevator opened at the perfect timing.

A deep, husky, undeniable tempting resonance filled the air that stiff me, increasing my heartbeats incredibly due to shock.

“You wish, Marianne Morris,”

His immaculate form right in front of me. His glimmering emerald eyes bored intensely into mine. Hair gelled backward perfectly accompanied by his notorious impish expression.

My jaw dropped at his damn audacity. Gracia ended up chuckling to which I shut her by my glare, turning to Byron and back to the man in an immaculate black suit, repeating like an insulting loop.

“Did you…” I gulped, stepping back, “Did you see that, Byron? How… How could you, Mr. Black?” I snapped, a strange desperation emitting from me that merely enhanced his amusement.

“Surprised?” A devilish smirk emerged on his lips, adjusting his cufflinks.

“How could you humiliate me like this? This is why I was having second thoughts. You… you…”

Gritting my teeth, ignoring the glare from Byron to not speak something ill about him in his own empire but failing to halt my wrath, I stomped my feet on the ground.

“You are an arrogant, insufferable... ASSHOLE!” I screamed, the words echoing through the pristine lobby.

My shoulders began to shake, the humiliation brought faint traces of tears in my eyes. Byron grabbed my arm, hissing for me to stop, but I shoved him off.

I should have taken the hint about what he would do to me from that incident and left when I had the chance. I didn’t. I was stubborn too, determined to show him he couldn't shatter me.

“Mari, listen, Mari-”

“Don’t talk to me, Byron, I am already upset,” I growled, raising my hand in the air, walking away as he came after me, distressed by the tense air accompanied by Mr. Black’s chuckle. He was nothing but joyous.

“I am going home, send me the details of when the shoot is and where. I am done for today,”

I stomped toward the exit, my face burning with a heat that wasn't just anger but also embarrassment. Going home, praying this is the last time I had to see his undesirable face.

… But to no avail.

This man’s entrance in my life was going to steal my peace in a way I could have never imagined.

The man known as Erich Black was going to turn my life into a beautiful, disastrous, mess…

“You're so dead, bitch."

Anthony, my ex, snarled, grabbing my hairs while blood flowed from the corner of my lips as I could feel a rush of blood flowing out my body with a sharp pain.

"Please… I.. Be- Beg you..."

I whimpered with uncontrollable tears streaming down my face, trying to bear this tribulation which suffocated me.

He threw me away, I fell on the floor, sobbing my anguish out and when pain shot through me, the realization hit me like a truck back then.

‘Is this the life you wanted, Marianne?’

Closing my eyes I released the final tear, glaring at him.

"What's with the look, huh?"

'If you don't fight for yourself then no one will'

My sister, Rebecca's words echoed in my mind as I grabbed a knife and without a warning stabbed him.

I… took a life.

“NO!!”

Waking up with a loud gasp, my hazel eyes were coated with horror as I desperately tried to wipe my face, to remove the blood only to find out it was just in my imagination.

With a pant, my body was quivering as I searched for my anti-depressants desperately to subdue the frightening sensations roaming freely in my body.

“It was nightmare, Marianne, just a nightmare, everything’s fine,”

Chanting, I chugged the pill along with some water down my throat. Pushing my hair, I fell on the bed, struggling to breathe.

I must recover from this state.

No matter what, working for the Obsidians was my dream and I couldn’t let anything ruin it. Not a single flaw was acceptable this time.

It means more than anyone could possibly comprehend to me.

I couldn’t mess this up.

My breaths hitched, jaw dropping, when I checked the time.

I was so damn distressed about the nightmare that I forgot it was my FIRST DAY for the shoot!

I panicked once again, falling off the bed with my head hitting the floor, “Argh, fuck!”

Going through my things, grabbing them quickly while checking my phone real quick.

“Byron has left over ten texts. Dammit! I am late!” I sighed, pushing my hairs back, sighing mentally that the bonk didn’t leave a bruise and ran down after getting ready.

“Late again, huh?” My househelper, Amie, couldn’t help but to laugh.

“Here you go, I prepared your juice already,”

“Thanks. Bye,”

“Take care, Ma’am,”

Shaking my head to ease the throbbing pain recurring those venomous memories. Even after dying he had to haunt me before my every endeavour.

I tend to discard it but the sight had rooted deep within my core, I couldn’t annihilate it, even if I wanted to.

“What a great start….”

I muttered, fixing my form in the car to uphold my graceful and heart-throbbing image before all.

Plus, I heard Mr. Black was extremely strict about work, and this would give him a reason to scold me.

Another damn reason to insult me… Fuck!

After I was done regaining my composure and handling my anxiety, I finally decided to attend the call from Byron who was highly displeased.

“Where the hell are you, girl?! Mr. Black is here too. He is asking for you, he seems… angry,” Shit.

“I am on my way, Byron, I am sorry, I will be there,”

“Everyone is present and you are late on your first day. How could you be so irresponsible, Mari?”

I couldn’t help but to get irritated, not that I did this on purpose.

“I told you I am sorry. I will be there soon, I just had a nightmare, okay?”

“Shut your excuses and come quickly.” He said furiously before cutting the call.

Sighing, I mentally prepared myself for a long scolding from him, resting my chin on my palm as I looked out of the window, convincing myself to not mess it up more than I already did.

“Okay, you can do this, Marianne, don’t let a nightmare ruin your dreams,”

Convincing myself, I got out hastily when we reached the studio. Tilting my chin up with forming a sly aura around me to assert my presence and walking forward.

Byron was with my team that rushed to my side the second I arrived.

“Oh, thank Goddess you are finally here. Get ready, let’s not enrage Mr. Black more than you did already,”

“Okay,” Nodding quietly, I obeyed.

But unknowingly, my eyes searched around, seeking a certain billionaire who didn’t bother to catch a glimpse of the model he hired so hopelessly.

‘You wanted me as your model, right? Then why don’t you come and see me? Where are you?’

This mindless thought evoked but shaking my head, I entered my luxurious vanity to prepare for the shoot.

Still waiting for Mr. Black to come and see me once, at least.

Place the sourness aside, I was his model, the face of his upcoming brand, his attention should be on me, right?

“Uh, Byron?”

“Hmm?”

“Where is Mr. Black?” I finally decided to ask when there were no signs of him.

“Who knows? He was so annoyed that you are not here and walked away. Maybe went for a smoke,” He shrugged his shoulders.

“I see…”

“Anyways, let’s go,”

When everything was done, my immaculate form was completed, I rose to leave. But not before sparing a glance at my beautiful self, laced with bewitchment, smiling to myself.

“Aren’t I the most beautiful, Byron?”

He smiled, “Yes, you are, Mari.”

Going with Byron, the second we entered the studio, a familiar strong scent discontinued my steps. Inhaling sharply, my eyes fell on the dominant man who was talking over the phone.

“...-That is not my concern. Do as I say. Now.” So... commanding. I thought.

“Sir, Marianne is here,”

Gracia cleared her throat, snapping her fingers twice to get his attention and pointed at me, causing him to cut the call and dart at me.

“Hmm?”

And then I saw him.

The irresistible, drop-dead gorgeous man with shimmering emerald eyes, one could easily drown in them and that is exactly why, I won’t stare into them.

His brown hair combed to perfection. In an all black three-piece suit jacket, emitting opulence. Aura wrapped with a charm none could resist yet through his sly demeanor.

All I found for myself was a… glare.

“Mr. Black, I apologize for the delay-”

“Marianne.”

My heartbeats picked up upon being called so authoritatively. Cutting my resonance and strength through one word.

Just my name.

He saw through me and his anger faded. Handsomely resting his hands in his pockets, he arched his brows and threatened me before everyone.

“Do that again and this will become your last day here, Marianne Morris,”

He smirked. Victoriously. He won, again.

Winning thrice in a row, that bastard walked away after asserting his dominance which indicated: ‘This is my territory. You are going to be how ‘I’ want,’